Hook-and-eye box-fastener.



UNITED STATES "ant 'on.

I-IOOK-AND-EYE BOX-FASTENER.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Dec. 28, 1909.

Application filed October 31, 1908. Serial No. 460,470.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, WILLIAM GRnosoN, citizen of the United States, residing at Fort Vorth, in the county of Tarrant and State ofTexas, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Hook-and-Eye Box-Fasteners, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to securing means designed most especially for covers, lids or tops of boxes, crates, chests and the like, the purpose being to supply means of this class which are adapted to be readily operated and which will insure secureness to the top of the lid when closed and fastened.

For a full understanding of the invention and the merits thereof and also to acquire a knowledge of the details of construction, of the means for effecting the result, reference is to be had to the following description and accompanying drawings.

While the invention may be adapted to different forms and conditions by changes in the structure and minor details without departing from the spirit or essential features thereof, still the preferred embodiment is shown in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a box or crate provided with fastening means embodying the invention, the top or cover of the box being open. Fig. 2 is a transverse section of the box, the top or cover being closed. Fig. 3 is a detail view in section.

Corresponding and like parts are referred to in the following description and inclicated in all the views of the drawings by the same reference characters.

The numeral, 1 indicates the box, crate, chest or the like, having a top, cover or lid 2, preferably hinged at one edge to the box and adapted to swing open and shut at its opposite edge.

The fastening means comprises a shaft 3 which is attached to the inner side of the top or cover 2 in a manner to receive a rocking movement and yet prevented from longitudinal play. Staples 4 or like fastening means are employed for attaching the shaft 3 to the top or cover 2. Hooks 5 are formed at the ends of the shaft 3 and are adapted to engage with eyes 6 upon the inner sides of the ends of the box so as to hold the top or cover 2 closed. A loop 7 is provided intermediate the ends of the shaft 3 and constitutes both a hasp and a handle, said loop being bent at a point between its ends to admit of its outer portion extending down in front of the box and receiving a staple 8 through which is passed a padlock 9 or like device for securing the hasp when in engagement with said staple 8. The top or cover 2 is formed with a notch or open slot 10 to receive the inner bent end of the loop 7 thereby providing for engaging and disengaging the hasp portion. of the loop 7 from the staple 8.

The several parts 3, 5 and 7 are of integral formation, being portions of a stout wire bent into the shape substantially as shown. The eyes 6 may be engaging means of any variety to cooperate with the hooks 5 so as to secure the top or cover 2 when closed. To prevent interference of the contents of the box, crate or the like, with the eyes 6, guards 11 inclose same, said guards consisting of metal straps or keepers of sub stantially U-shape attached at their ends to the inner sides of the box ends. The upper edges of the guards 11 are notched to provide clearance for the shaft 3 when the top 2 is closed.

When closing the top or cover 2 the loop 7 is turned so as to project above the top of the box thereby admitting of the hooks 5 clearing the eyes 6. After the top or cover has been closed upon the box the loop 7 is moved downward at its outer end into engagement with the staple 8 thereby turning the shaft 3 and causing the hooks 5 to engage with the eyes 6 or like cooperating parts. After the loop 7 has been engaged with the staple 5 it is fastened by means of the padlock 9 or like device. The hooks 5 may be of such formation as to ride upon the eyes 6 at the same time, effecting a drawing action, after the fashion of an arm, thereby forcing the top or cover tight upon the box. Provision is had for engagement of the hasp portion of the loop 7 with the staple 8 by reason of the resilience of the shaft 3, the hooks 5 and the loop 7. When the loop 7 is released and disengaged from the staple 8 itmay be grasped and moved thereby turning the shaft 8 and disengaging the hooks 5 from the eyes 6 after which the continued upward movement of the loop draws the top or cover 2 open so that access may be had to the interior of the box, crate or like device.

Having thus described the invention, what 1s claimed as new 1s:

1. The combination with a receptacle ha-vj ing a pivoted cover, keepers disposed within the receptacle and secured to the opposite the lower face of the cover and formed of a single piece of wire having its opposite ends bent to produce terminal hooks adapted to engage the eyes for locking the cover in closed position and its intermediate portion bent laterally through the opening'in the cover and thence bent at substantially right angles to the horizontal plane of the wire to produce a hasp for engagement with a staple.

2. The combination with a receptacle having a movable cover keepers secured to the end walls of the receptacle and projecting within the same, fastening, devices housed within the keepers, a locking member journaled on the lower face of the cover and provided with terminal hooks spaced from the opposite ends of the cover and adapted to engage the fastening devices for locking the cover in closed position and a hasp forming part of the locking member and extending through an opening in the cover for engagement with a staple, there being recesses formed in the upper edges of the keepers for the reception of the hooked ends of vthe locking member.

In testimony whereof I ailix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

\VILLIAM GREG'SON.

Witnesses W. H. Ross, MYRTLE KING. 

